How Did Drought Conditions Impact NW Canola?

Depending on where you farm, 2025 could go down as one of the driest years in recent memory, or even on record.  Those dry conditions impacted wheat farmers, tree fruit growers, and even ranchers.  But what impact did the drought have on Northwest Canola growers?

Karen Sowers, executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Canola Association said it’s a balancing act, noting that canola doesn’t like to have "wet feet".

“So for instance, if you're an irrigator, you don't want to over water it.  You can't just keep watering, watering, watering; canola doesn't like to be that wet," Sowers said.  "By the same token, it is, it does decently with dry temperatures, given that the roots have gotten down into soil moisture, they'll keep going down to find more moisture. If there's not moisture at the top, six inches.”

Sowers added canola will root down not only for water, but for nutrients if needed.  She added growers across the region enjoyed good quality and good yields in 2025 with winter canola, for the most part, faring better than spring varieties.

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